Abstract

Introduction:

BTS guidelines and UK training curricula highlight the importance of gaining experience in pleural procedures. By the end of core medical training (CMT), trainees are required to demonstrate competency in pleural aspiration and Seldinger chest drain insertion.

Aim:

To investigate the self-reported competency of junior doctors in performing pleural procedures

Method:

'On the spot' questionnaires were randomly distributed to 64 doctors training in a large university teaching hospital. Participants graded their level of competence in performing a variety of pleural procedures and possible reasons for lack of experience.

Our data suggest that the majority of trainee physicians do not feel competent to undertake pleural procedures independently. With increasing use of US for pleural procedures, trainees are having difficulty gaining experience. For CMTs, UK curricula now state mandatory competency in chest drain insertion for pneumothorax only, but training programmes must ensure adequate exposure to important pleural procedures.